As the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr launches a new Artist in Residence programme, art lovers in the city are being invited to view new exhibitions and those behind their creation up close and personal.
Until May 11, visitors to the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr will get to see British artist Su Blackwell create an intricate diorama of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque using paper. This renowned artist has rapidly gained worldwide attention thanks to her amazing paper replications of architectural wonders. A temporary studio in the lobby will allow spectators to watch the talented Su sculpt and mold paper into a three dimensional structure. In addition to the showings, the hotel is launching a new series of programmes that combine hotel stays with art lessons.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Bain Al Jessrain (02 654 3333).
Meet the artist
We caught up with Su Blackwell to find out more about her craft.
How did you cultivate this talent for creating art with paper?
I studied embroidery at The Royal College of Art in London. I began experimenting with paper after a trip to Thailand and Laos in South East Asia, where I came across paper being used in spiritual ceremonies. I began experimenting with origami and paper folding, and developing my paper cutting skills and folding techniques. My first book structure was The Quiet American. I cut moths from the book with a craft knife as the piece was inspired by a Chinese legend. Also paper is more malleable to the hand, it has a visible memory. The more I work with paper the more fascinating it becomes.
Where do you find inspiration?
My work is often inspired by fairy tales or folk tales of a region.
Can you tell us about a really frustrating moment you had with a particular art piece?
What is frustrating about my work is that I am such a perfectionist. I display my sculptures in glass cases, and often it takes me a long time to finish the piece, to make sure every single detail is perfect. This is the most frustrating thing but the result is always something I am proud of and really showcases my craftsmanship to the fullest.
Can you walk us through some of the workshops you’ll be teaching here in Abu Dhabi?
I am going to be teaching people how to make a pop-up greeting card based on the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Participants will be using metallic card to create a keepsake, using a unique and original template that I have designed for this purpose.
What is the weirdest or most common question that your students tend to ask?
I am always asked by students how I make my work and how I came up with the concept.
Do you have your own personal hero or idol in the art world that you look up to?
I love the American artist Kiki Smith’s work. She works within the realms of fairy-tales and feminism. Additional inspiration comes from Christian Boltanski, Mariele Nuedeker and Paula Rego. I like that these artists work in such a varied way, with a menagerie of material.
Art at the Fairmont
We sat down with Nils Axing, the general manager of the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr.
Why bring Su Blackwell to the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr?
It’s part of our hotel’s DNA to bring art, culture and now emerging artists to the hotel. We are very familiar with Su’s work. A few years back she was commissioned to create four iconic Fairmont properties in our portfolio for the 2011 Arabian Travel Market. She produced a staggering piece of sculpture that represented The Savoy Hotel in London, the Fairmont Zimbali Lodge in South Africa, Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Saudi Arabia and the Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, China.
This structure was also showcased at the hotel for a year. Given the hotel’s location, architecture and design with a glass façade that provides an open view to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, we wanted to celebrate this cultural and community icon that is within reach by commissioning Su to recreate it with paper.
What is the Artist in Residence programme about?
It is a collaborative initiative that joins a local or regional artist with the hotel and provides an on site hotel studio space, specialised workshops open to the public, as well as the production of a work of art that is presented to the hotel as part of its permanent art collection or as an auction piece for a local charity. This programme is a Fairmont-wide initiative, with current artist residencies taking place at the Fairmont Empress (British Columbia, Canada), Fairmont Banff Springs (Alberta, Canada) as part of their 125th anniversary celebrations, Fairmont Dallas (Texas) and The Savoy (London, UK).
